Medical and Mental Health Services (Colorado DOC)

The Colorado Department of Corrections Clinical Services page describes how care is requested and what is provided. Routine care is reached by self-referral: the person completes a Request for Sick Call Form, known as a kite, and there is never a fee for submitting a kite, though applicable co-pays may be charged afterwards and no one is denied care for inability to pay. Everyone receives a Clinical Services Handbook on admission that explains access to care and the co-pay rules. Someone who believes they are having a medical emergency notifies staff and is assessed by a nurse who decides whether a higher level of care is needed. Direct services include dental, pharmacy, X-ray, dementia care, infirmary care, dialysis, a special medical needs unit, end-of-life care and 24-hour emergency and on-call provider coverage. Behavioral health runs from group therapy and crisis intervention through Residential Treatment Programs, and people can kite the clinic to request medication-assisted therapy or to file a release of information.